Report highlights 'vital' role of EU workforce for London

A new report has emphasised the importance of maintaining access to the EU workforce after Brexit as being ‘vital’ for London’s future growth.

London First’s report, London 2036: An agenda for jobs and growth, examines how London can retain its position as a global leading city amid changes in the political and economic landscape.

With the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s decision to leave the EU still in place, the report said that business leaders were concerned that any potential restrictions on skilled migration would ‘impede London's ability to attract talent’.

London First argue that London has ‘one of the greatest concentrations of talent and skills in the world’ and this can be maintained by: creating a visa regime which accounts for London's employment needs; maintaining the legal status of EU workers currently in the UK; and investigating the possibility of developing regional migration policies, such as a ‘London visa’.

Moreover, the report looks at the need to build upon London’s position ‘as a magnet for the tech sector by boosting our digital infrastructure and supporting innovative SMEs’.

In his Foreword, John Dickie, director of strategy and policy at London First, said: “There is no single agency we can call upon to deliver against the priorities we have identified: this is a call to action for London as a whole. Some issues should be business led, others require coalitions to make a case to central government, while others are in the hands of London government.

“However, we believe that the Mayor of London, through his forthcoming economic development strategy, is well placed to convene, coordinate and drive this agenda by supporting or building coalitions across government, business and wider society.”